Inside his downtown Lowell shop, Rodger Ackerson read a news clipping copied from the Aug. 17 issue of the Raleigh N.C. News Observer.He silently read it to himself several times, deeply concentrating.The clipping pertained to what has boiled into “antagonistic defenses” of Grant Hayes and wife Amanda Perry Hayes, both charged with first-degree murder in North Carolina for the death and dismemberment of Ackerson’s 27-year-old daughter, Laura Jean Ackerson, in 2011.Grant Hayes, the 33-year-old father of Ackerson’s two grandsons, reportedly pleaded not guilty Aug. 16. His wife, whose trial is set for January, claims she participated in Laura’s death under threat from her husband and was coerced by him to help dispose of the body parts, near the home of her sister, near Houston, Texas.Grant Hayes' murder trial is under way this week with Laura’s father seated in the courtroom.“I totally expect it,” Ackerson said learning of the finger pointing. “They can point a finger at each other attempting to create a reasonable doubt. As far as I’m concerned they are both guilty. You can’t drive 1,200 miles and ask your sister where to dump a body.”Testimony revealed that Amanda Perry Hayes' sister who resides in Richmond, Texas helped the couple dispose of Laura’s remains. The body parts were discovered in a creek near the sister’s home at the time. Investigators believe that Laura’s body was hacked into pieces, stored in large coolers and towed in a rented trailer to Texas from North Carolina.Amanda’s sister had not been implicated in the case before. Ackerson showed surprise at her involvement upon learning the sisters allegedly discussed with each other where to dispose of the body.Ackerson wondered aloud why the sister isn’t charged as an accessory.Background Grant and Laura never married and were fighting for custody of their boys. Ackerson said a custody hearing was set for Aug. 15, 2011, and he speculated Grant’s chances of retaining custody were slim because, by then, Laura had sufficient income and a stable home.Laura was a partner in a graphic design business in Kingston, N.C., her home at the time of her death. A business partner reported her missing when she missed work.Her car was found at the apartment complex in Raleigh, where the Hayes couple lived. Friends knew she had gone to Raleigh for a visit with her boys.Grant and Amanda Hayes became parents of a daughter shortly before Laura’s death. Grant had voiced expectations of being the best father and role model to his three children.Moving forward Ackerson has investigated whether he can assume custody of his grandchildren who currently live with Grant Hayes' parents in Kingston, N.C., but admitted, “I don’t think I have a hope.”“They have guardianship of the three children, and they don’t have to consider me for anything,” he said.On Friday, Ackerson hung a sign on the door of his Collector’s Korner shop of empty showcases informing customers “it will reopen when the trial is over,” he said, no matter how long the trial takes.“I want to see Mr. Hayes convicted. Laura deserves that.”